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Blue Jays look to extend winning ways over Angels

Aug 23, 2007 - 1:38 PM Toronto (63-63) at LA Angels (74-52) 10:05 pm EDT

ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - Holding a slim two-game lead in their division, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim begin a four-game set with a team that has given them problems recently.

The Angels, owners of the majors' best home record at 42-18, hold a slim lead in the American League West over second-place Seattle (71-53). However, Anaheim may need as much as help as it can get against Toronto, which has won 13 of 19 meetings between the teams.

Ervin Santana (5-11, 5.96 ERA), who has not won since June 9, takes the mound for the Angels. In his first start on Friday since returning from his demotion to the minors, he fared much better than he had recently despite not factoring into the decision, allowing one run and four hits over 6 1/3 innings in a 7-5 win at Boston.

The outing came following a stretch in which the righthander went 0-5 with an 8.46 ERA in six starts before getting sent down. He is 1-0 with a 3.55 ERA in two career starts against the Blue Jays.

Also in his favor is the ability to pitch well at home, going 4-2 with a 3.42 ERA in eight outings. He is 1-9 with an 8.06 ERA away from Angel Stadium.

Jesse Litsch (4-6, 3.49) will draw the start opposite Santana, hoping to overcome some miscues from his defense in his last start. He watched the Blue Jays commit two errors leading to three unearned runs on Saturday in a 5-3 loss to Baltimore.

Overall, the righthander surrendered five runs - two earned - over six frames in that outing. This will be his first career appearance against the Angels.